To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of research into the appropriate acoustic separation distance for larger wind turbines from residential properties; what distances are recommended in the Department’s planning guidelines; and when those distances were last reviewed. (94244)

While there are no separation distances set down for noise, Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy gives guidance that Local Plans may include criteria that set out the minimum separation distances between the different types of renewable energy projects and other developments. The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms (ETSU-R-97) sets out the criteria when assessing the impact of noise on the nearest sensitive residential premises.